Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat will tune up for next week’s opening KFC Big Bash League matches with a 48-hour T20 blitz in the Bulls Masters First Grade competition this weekend.
Heat players will have the chance to play up to three Kookaburra T20 competition matches for their Sci-Fleet Motors QLD Premier Cricket club should they chose to.
Brisbane captain Chris Lynn shook off two weeks of quarantine following his IPL stint with a stunning 154 off 55 balls last weekend for Toombul and he is earmarked to play matches tomorrow at Peter Burge Oval at Wellington Point and Bill Albury Oval at Tingalpa.
Toombul’s morning match against Sandgate-Redcliffe will also feature recent Heat arrival Tom Cooper, with the experienced batsman playing for the Gators in both games tomorrow.
Redlands will have James Bazley, Jimmy Peirson and Sam Heazlett in action across their three matches, although newly signed Heat allrounder Simon Milenko will miss the games as he recovers from a finger injury.
The Gold Coast will call upon Heat batsman Max Bryant, pace bowler Xavier Bartlett and spinner Matthew Kuhnemann while Valley will have allrounder Jack Wildermuth and wicket-keeper Lachy Pfeffer in their ranks.
Ipswich/Logan will look to spinner Jack Wood, one of three replacement players named this week for the Heat alongside Milenko and Pfeffer.
Sunshine Coast will have the BBL’s leading wicket-taker Ben Laughlin in their ranks for their morning clash against Redlands at Bill Albury Oval, the venue where the seamer started his career with Wynnum-Manly.
Sunday features the annual ‘Rivalry Round’ where neighbouring clubs take each other on for local bragging rights.
Heat coach Darren Lehmann said the T20 games were valuable preparation for the players.
“Nothing beats time on your feet and playing in a competitive environment,’’ he said. “We’ve seen some very impressive individual efforts so far and I’m sure there are more to come.
“It’s a great chance for the players to give something back to their clubs and communities as well as fine-tune their skills ahead of the BBL.”
Several players producing eye-catching efforts in the opening rounds last week, with big-hitting Norths opener Josh Brown smacking 128 from a mere 57 balls, including 14 sixes and five fours.
While Lynn drew national focus with his innings, Sunshine Coast allrounder Blake Maher delivered a stirring 109 from just 43 balls, featuring 12 fours and seven sixes, as the Scorchers fought hard in the run chase.
The Heat open their BBL campaign on Friday night against the Melbourne Stars at Manuka Oval in Canberra and will travel on Wednesday after a self-isolation period.
KOOKABURRA T20 COMPETITION
Round 11
Tomorrow (all games start 10am)
North/East Pool
- Sunshine Coast v Redlands, Bill Albury Oval, Tingalpa
- Toombul v Sandgate-Redcliffe, Peter Burge Oval , Wellington Point
- Northern Suburb v Wynnum-Manly, Ian Healy Oval, Kalinga
South/West Pool
- Ipswich/Logan v University of Queensland, Peter Easton Oval, Ashgrove
- Gold Coast v South Brisbane, Allan Border Field, Albion
- Western Suburbs v Valley, Norman Gray Oval, Fairfield
Round 12
Tomorrow (all games start 2:30PM)
North/East Pool
- Wynnum-Manly v Toombul, Bill Albury Oval, Tingalpa
- Redlands v Sandgate-Redcliffe, Peter Burge Oval, Wellington Point
- Northern Suburbs v Sunshine Coast, Ian Healy Oval, Kalinga
South/West Pool
- Valley v Ipswich/Logan, Peter Easton Oval, Ashgrove
- Gold Coast v University of Queensland, Allan Border Field, Albion
- South Brisbane v Western Suburbs, Norman Gray Oval, Fairfield
Round 13 (Rivalry Round)
Sunday (all games 2.15pm start)
North/East Pool
- Northern Suburbs v Toombul, Ian Healy Oval, Kalinga
- Sandgate – Redcliffe v Sunshine Coast, Trevor Hohns Oval, Deagon
- Wynnum-Manly v Redlands, Bill Albury Oval, Tingalpa
South/West Pool
- Ipswich/Logan v Gold Coast, Baxter Oval, Ipswich
- Western Suburbs v University of Queensland, Graceville No.1
- Valley v South Brisbane, Peter Easton Oval, Ashgrove
